From Shiitake to Portobello

Mushrooms are mush-more than a fungi. They can elevate the most simplest dishes and are something we should include a lot more of in our diet. With antioxidant properties, protein, fibre and source of vitamin D, they are an amazing addition to any dish.

Not only are they delicious and healthy, they are also very environmentally-friendly. Did you know? It has been proposed that replacing 30% of burger beef with vegetarian alternatives, such as mushrooms, is the equivalent of taking 2 million cars off our roads - making them a true powerhouse! 

See just how eco-friendly they are in our low-carbon mushroom gnocchi recipe 🍄

There are more than 5,000 different mushroom varieties, which means you can make a range of mushroom dishes without it getting boring. Here are some of our top recipes that include some of our favourite types of mushroom: 

Deep fried enoki mushrooms

This delicious side dish can be made with any sauce and toppings you like, here's a sweet and spicy Korean BBQ style recipe. 

INGREDIENTS

• 200g enoki mushrooms
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 cup cold sparkling water, or regular cold water
• 3 cups neutral oil 

METHOD

1. Rinse and dry your enoki mushroom bundle then slice into 6 1/4-inch sections. Set on a paper towel. 
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, paprika and a pinch of salt. 
3. Gradually add cold sparkling water, whisking until the batter is smooth and thin. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a deep pot over medium heat until it reaches 180ºC.
4. Dip the enoki mushrooms into the batter, ensuring they are lightly coated. Carefully place the coated mushrooms into the hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes, or until golden and crispy. 
5. Remove the mushrooms and let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate. While still hot, sprinkle with salt and any other toppings of choice. 
6. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce. 

Stuffed shiitake mushrooms

Did you know we can increase the vitamin D content of mushrooms by sitting them on the windowsill in the sun? And shiitake and button mushrooms are especially good at soaking all that goodness up! 

Try it at home and use them in this simple, yet delicious, meat-free recipe:

INGREDIENTS

• 8 ounces goat cheese (softened)
• 8 large fresh shiitake mushrooms (cleaned) 
• 1 garlic clove (finely chopped) 
• 2 tbsp herbs (chopped parsley, chives etc.)
• Fresh ground pepper
• Melted butter

METHOD

1. Mix the goat cheese with garlic, herbs and ground pepper. 
2. Remove the stems from the mushrooms and stuff the caps with cheese. Place on a baking pan. 
3. Brush with melted butter and place in a 200ºC oven for approximately 10 minutes, until the cheese melts. 
4. Serve immediately and enjoy. 

Speaking of gooey melted cheese, impress your flat with these stuffed mushroom cheese balls! 

Lions mane steak

Lions mane mushrooms are known for their meaty texture, acting as a brilliant alternative to meat-based dishes like burgers and steaks. Here's how to cook a juicy lions mane steak: 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lions mane flush 
• Seasoning of your choice
• Cooking oil
• Salt and pepper 

METHOD

1. Add some oil to a skillet on medium-high heat. Once hot, add your lions mane and season. 
2. Sear it around the pan for 3-4 minutes on one side, before doing the same on the other side. 
3. Press down the mushroom with a weighted pan to release all of the moisture. Then season with your favourite flavours. 
4. Slice your mushroom into strips, and you can sear those slices too. 

Check out this super fresh lions mane steak and chimichurri recipe: 

Mushrooms are a great way of reducing our meat consumption for our health and the health of our planet, so try implementing them more into your diet today. 

Contact:

Find more delicious recipes at @ualcatering